Tent pole



NOV. 5, 1929. c, E 1,734,170

TENT POLE Filed Dec. 10, 1926 Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFlflCE CHARLES B. LEFFERT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES TENT & AWNING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS rmrr roan Application filed December 10, 1926. Serial No. 153,746.

This invention relates to improvements in tent poles and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

5 The primary object of the invention is to provide a tent pole of the telescopic kind wherein the ole sections thereof may be readily locked in that extended position to provide the desired length of tent pole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pole of the kind wherein a simple and novel means is provided to automatically look the pole section in telescopic extended rela tion and which may be readily manipulated when it is desired to telescopically contract said ole sections.

Stil another object of the invention is to provide a novel clamping ring surrounding one pole section and adapted to engage'the end of the other pole section and to have a fulcrum thereon to bind against the surrounded pole section and to securely hold it in the desired extended position with reference to the other pole section.

These objects together with others as well as the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I procee With my specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a tent pole embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the telescoped pole sections with the binding ring clamping the one pole section in the desired position with respect to the other pole section.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the clamping ring in a different position wherein the pole sections may be telescopically contracted.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the binding ring as Viewed in a position reversed from its normal position on the pole.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of said binding rmg.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates as a whole my improved tent pole which includes a bottom pole section 2 and a top pole section 3 both preferably made of metallic tubing. The top pole section is of a smaller diameter so as to telescope within the bottom pole section.

The bottom pole section has a foot 4 of larger diameter at its bottom end and a collar 5 at its top end secured thereto in any suitable manner'. The top pole section has a tent fabric pin 6 at its top end, made integral with a cap 7 in the form of a plug fixed in said end of said pole section.

Surrounding the top pole section is a ring 8 of peculiar construction in that it is of a greater length on one side 9 than it is on the diametrically opposite side 10, said ring having a bore 11 of such diameter relative to 5 the top pole section that when in one position on the pole section, it may slide freely thereon. Said bore 11 is enlarged'or cut away on one side from top to bottom in the plane of longer side -9 as indicatedat 12 so that at the bottom of said longer side is formed a relatively sharpened edge 13 adapted when the pole sections are in the desired telescoped positions to engage upon the collar 5 so that the ring may fulcrum about said edgy and bring the top corner 14 of said cut away portion into binding action against the top pole section as best shown in Fig. 2. Thus when the ring engages the collar, it crooks itself so to speak so that its axis is disposed at a slight angle to the axis of-the top tgitf pole section and the corner section 14 thereof engages the associated side of said tent pole section and prevents it from telescoping further into the bottom tent pole section. Pressure on the top pole section, induced by the tent fabric only augments the binding action of the ring by causing said corner 14 to bite into the top tent pole section. However, the 'binding action of said ring is such that the .weight of the top pole section itenlarged portion 12'of the bore 11 will provide that amount of clearance necessary between the top pole. section and ring to release said binding action.

In operating my improved pole, the bottom section is stood upright on its foot and the top pole section ma be moved upwardlypr extended from said ottom pole section, sliding freel through said ring which is then ,2 and binds upon said top pole section. Thus inactive ut remains engaged upon the collar 5. However so soon as the u ward on extending movement of the top po e section ceases, it assumes the position shown in Fig.

it is automatic in operation and onl needs to" be manipulated when it is desir to telescopically contract t 'e top pole section into the bottom pole sectio The pole comprises but a few simple arts which may be readily and quickly assem led, and its binding ring is indeed eflicient for its intended purpose. v

While in describing my invention, I have referred in detail to the construction and form of the parts as well as to their arrangement the same is to be considered as by way of explanation only so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tent pole comprising pole sections the one telescopic with respect to the other, a ring surrounding one pole section and having a portion engaging at one end with the end of the other pole section for a fulcrum movement thereon to cause the other end of said portion of said ring to bind against the first mentioned pole section upon a telescopic contraction of said pole sections. i 2. A tent pole comprising top and bottom pole sections the one telescopic within the other, a ring surrounding the top pole section and having a longitudinally extended portion engaging the end of the bottom pole section providing a fulcrum point at one side of the ring about which said ring rocks to bind upon the top pole section upon a telescopic contraction of said pole sections.

3. A tent pole comprising top and bottom pole sections the one telescopic within the 'on one si against the top pole section upon a telescopic contraction between said pole sections.

4. A binding member for the purpose specified, comprising a ring of a greater length e than on the other, and having a bore being enlarged from one end -to the other on t e longer side of said ring to form a biting edge at one end of the longer side of the ring. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 7 th day of December, 1926.

CHARLES B. LEFFERT.

other, a ring surrounding the top pole section'and longer on one side than on the other side, said longer side being cut away on its inner surface from top to bottom which forms a part to fulcrum on the end of said outer pole section so that said top corner of said cutaway inner surface portion will bind 

